MONDOmagazine

Agents of Atlas #10
Jeff Parker (w), Gabriel Hardman & Paul Rivoche (a), Elizabeth Dismang (c). Marvel Comics

This is the difference that good art can make. Last issue, where I didn’t like the art at all, got a 3 out of 5. It’s still the same strong characters, same great situation, same great giant gorilla but with good art it’s just so much better. Although, I feel like more happened in this issue, so perhaps that’s also why the scale is tipped. Anyway, it’s a great series that teetering on the edge of cancellation — buy this book, people. It’s got everything you like in it: robots, dragons, sexy demi-gods, spies, talking apes, and a minority character in the central role. It’s everything comics should be. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #28
Jane Espenson (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owens (i), Michelle Madsen (c). Dark Horse.

Alright, way better than last issue but we’re not out of the woods yet. Maybe this is just really fanboy of me: but shit keeps happening in this book that I don’t like and don’t think would happen if this property was still on TV. I’m not talking about the lesbian thing — I’m fine with that. But I’m not fine with a Xander/Dawn pairing. That’s just slash fiction to me. Also bad: shit keeps happening in this comic that they don’t really explain. Like, in particular for this issue, the Slayers stop using the magic that’s inside them. So for the seven years where Buffy would complain that she was thrust into this world of violence and danger that she couldn’t turn her back on she could have just turned her back on it the whole time? That’s kinda balls. Big hairy balls. They can turn it off? Since when? However, Jeanty’s art rebounds this issue and Espenson does provide some nice character moments. Still, this series has lost its luster. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 2.5 out of 5

Chew #4
John Layman (w), Rob Guillory (a). Image Comics.

This latest issue of Chew takes Tony Chu and his partner Agent Savoy on an adventure to the Antarctic. They arrive at government-sponsored observatory with only one assignment: observation of a small planet called Altilis-738. After two years of inaction, the over-funded scientists has found some very interesting ways to spend Uncle Sam’s money. The plot quickly shifts into explosions, Russian bikini babes with large guns, and Russian dialogue of which none I understand. I still love it though. Layman and Guillory really have fun with the idea of doing police work and combining it with the talents of both Tony and Savoy. It stays true to quirky story it advertises. The art really makes it and the story just keeps getting better. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Deadpool #15
Daniel Way (w), Paco Medina (p), Juan Vlasco (i), Marte Garcia & Antonia Fabela (c). Marvel Comics.

Way seems to be taking Deadpool in a slighty different direction than previously expected. It was weird to see a more philosophical side to Deadpool; although, to be fair, he was exchanging words with the carcass of a bullet-ridden shark. The first half of the issue is a little more introspective, but still sort of plays on the crazy nature of Deadpool’s train of thought. But after you think you’ve got him figured out, Way throws Deadpool into a San Franciso dream sequence where the sun is shining, beach shorts are in style, and smiles are given all around. I was really happy to see Paco Medina and his art team back in action. The idea of having another Deadpool/X-Men crossover doesn’t really thrill me all that much, but I’m gonna keep an open mind. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Ghost Riders: Heaven’s On Fire #2
Jason Aaron (w), Roland Boschi (a). Marvel Comics

After a fantastic first issue this one is a bit of a disappointment. I’m not sure what it was about this issue that didn’t do it for me, but I think it has something to do with Jaine Cutter. Much of the coolness of this issue seemed to be riding on how excited the reader would be to see her. When Jason Aaron’s Ghost Rider is at its best it doesn’t matter whether or not the reader knows who the characters are, but here I kept feeling like I should be excited that she’s there even though I wasn’t. On top of that it really annoyed me that Boschi keeps drawing her with an impossible waist to breast ratio. Stop it! Otherwise it’s a good comic, just not great like last issue. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Incognito #6
Ed Brubaker (w), Sean Phillips (a), Val Staples (c). Icon.

Reading this was a little depressing. It’s yet another title that will no longer have Ed Brubaker writing for it. It’s also the end of one of my favourite mini-series. Zack Overkill finally comes head-to-head with his past and is given the chance to turn his life around. It’s a great story and an explosive conclusion to a fast-paced story line. I felt like it was a little rushed, but it’s probably because I just want more. I want more Brubaker. I was more art by Sean Phillips. I want more intriguing storytelling. More! Regardless, it was definitely a good run and a good buy once it comes out in trade form. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Invincible Iron Man #17
Matt Fraction (w), Salvador Larocca (a). Marvel Comics

This story is really kicking into overdrive, and this issue does a great job of building tension in interesting ways. Without spoiling anything I will say that what is done with Pepper is extremely intense and well-handled by Fraction. On top of that Tony’s deteriorating brain power is tragic. The comic now sports a label citing the book as an Eisner award winner, and after reading this issue it’s easy to see why. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Irredeemable #6
Mark Waid (w), Peter Krause (a), Andrew Dalhouse (c). BOOM! Studios.

The story is still moving at a very slow pace and I just want more to be happening. Every time I get to end, I feel as though there should be another few pages. Maybe it’s a good thing or maybe it’s not, but it’s sure frustrating. The plot is definitely getting more complicated and the the story of Plutonian is becoming more clear with the use of flashbacks. It intriguing to see that even at his peak, the Plutonian was not the perfect superhero. The art doesn’t really do justice to the feel of the story. The darker the story gets, the more I wish the art would cater to it. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Jersey Gods #7
Glen Brunswick (w), Dan McDaid (a). Image Comics

It had to happen. They can’t all be top notch, after all. This issue wasn’t top-notch. I still liked it quite a bit, but it wasn’t
up there with issue 5 and 6. Barock trying to work as a fashion model was funny, but the stuff with the designer doesn’t quite do it for me. I can’t stress enough that this is a great comic (check out the first volume, it’s awesome stuff), but this isn’t the best of issues. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Justice League: Cry for Justice #3
James Robinson (w), Mauro Cascioli (a). DC Comics.

There’s one panel where Captain Marvel has a little smile: that’s about all the emotion we get out of this book. The rest of the faces are all — literally — tight lipped. Supergirl looks out into the distance before shedding a single tear. Crying for justice, yeesh. There’s also a two page spread that looks, on the surface, awesome, until you quickly notice that the robot Congo Bill is leaping at is either the size of a Barbie doll or that the perspective wasn’t done well at all. Of course it’s the latter. However once we back away from the heroes and see an actual villain start his monologuing it’s pretty great. Prometheus (the bad guy) is thinking big and it’s going to make for an exciting story. It’s a little wasteful to have him kill off the Global Guardians in a few flashback panels (wha-? Not the Tasmanian Devil!) but you guys won’t mind because the Shade makes an appearance! — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Northlanders #20
Brian Wood (w), Davide Gianfelice (a), Dave McCaig (c). Vertigo.

This rating might be a bit “low” is because of my inflated expectations for this story. This is the first time Wood has returned to Sven since his debut story that launched Northlanders and my interest in this series. It was cool to get a look into what Sven becomes, the art is fantastic, the dialogue is sharp, but it just wasn’t what I was hoping it would be. Part of the problem is there’s some weak plotting. (Spoiler Warning here on out.) At first, when the young vikings come to attack the aged Sven he says that he can’t beat them in a straight fight, but in the end that’s exactly what he does. He just beats them, and it kinda looks easy. It’s not the kind of gut-wrenching storytelling that I’m used to getting from Northlanders. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Strange Tales #1 (of 3)
Various (w + a) Marvel Comics

I hope Marvel keeps this series going after the initial three-issue mini. Independent creators running wild with Marvel properties in hilarious four-page romps is a winning idea — but the execution is even better. The issue is a series of happy little love-letters to Marvel characters with a real variety of styles, humour choices, and characters (although a surprising about of Hulk). Standouts include Paul Pope, John Leavitt with Molly Crabapple, Dash Shaw, Johnny Ryan, Michael Kupperman, and Jason. That’s a lot of standouts! I only didn’t name, like, four stories, and they were hard to cut from this list. Please, check it out. I want there to be more Strange Tales — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5

Sweet Tooth #1
Jeff Lemire (w + a), Jose Villarrubia (c). Vertigo.

It’s kind of a shame that the preview that’s been running in several Vertigo books spoils the ending of this issue. You get to the last few pages of this read and think “oh, I know this. That’s not very exciting.” It makes for a better preview than the beginning of this book though, so I can see why Vertigo did that. In all, it’s a good first issue. It’s a character piece that sets up the series well — it’s a quiet opening, but that’s not a bad thing and the plot moves at a nice pace. Lemire does a good job making you sympathize with Gus, the main character. Part of that is his adorable character design, which is simple but very effective. I’m looking forward to the next issue. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5
Sandra’s rating: 4 out of 5

The Torch #1
Alex Ross & Mike Carey (w), Patrick Berkenkotter (a), Carlos Lopez (c) . Marvel Comics

Maybe I should have read the solicitation more carefully, or maybe I just assumed something incorrectly, but I thought this series was going to have more to do with The Marvels Project rather than the dreadful Avengers/Invaders mini-series that ran last year. Either way, a boring comic is still a boring comic. Carey and Ross do nothing to make me care about Tom Raymond, the golden age character known as Toro. Raymond has been absent from Marvel Comics, except for in flashbacks, for about 45 years now and I don’t know enough about him to care. He seems exactly like Winter Soldier except that he doesn’t have a good costume or much personality. The art is decent, perfectly serviceable to the story, but not enough to make me get the next issue. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 1.5 out of 5

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2
Brian Michael Bendis (w), David Lafuente (a), Justin Ponsor (c). Marvel Comics.

Yeah, so it sounds like I have to drop Ultimate Spider-Man from my pull list. Oh, I’ll give it a couple more issues to pull itself out of the gutter, but we’re talking thin ice over here. Not every teenage guy can think it’s a good idea to wear a midriff baring shirt. Peter can either be concerned for his friend, the passed out Human Torch, or he can be flexing for Gwen Stacy — he can’t be doing both. And why is Peter with Gwen? Well, how can you not be with someone who spends all her time talking about how much she “hates other people but that you’re so smart.” Okay, I’m not giving Gwen a fair chance, but this is lame high school stuff that shouldn’t exist. Yes, this drama stuff does exist, but Spider-Man shouldn’t be participating in it. There’s actually a really well done fight scene, I’m not crazy about the shape of Spidey’s head, but otherwise it looks really slick. The last page has the Human Torch wake up and Aunt May asks him what happened to him — so naturally the last panel of the issue is the Torch grimacing like he’s had a good 500% of his daily fibre requirement, which hardly has me fired up for his response which we’ll get next month. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2.5/5

Young Liars #18
David Lapham (w + a), Lee Loughridge (c). Vertigo.

There couldn’t have been a better last issue — or ending — for Young Liars. The book opens with a nice wink to the audience that’s followed non-sensical plots, changing characters, and all the lies, “It’s all over now.. thank God. I was so sick of it all. I mean what was the point? Nobody got it anyway.” I’d like to think that I got it, well as much as there was to get. It wasn’t about the arc, it was about the issues. Each one functioned as something different from the last and gave you another take on sex or violence or music or any combination therein. It was a unique series with fantastic art and I will miss it. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 5 out of 5